Method and Apparatus for Using a Marked Cork to Lead to a Website

ABSTRACT

A cork upon which a password or code is printed which provides access to a website with information about the product.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although digital links to a website are common, physical incentives for logging on to a website are less common. For example, some billboards have URLs mentioned and many products have URLs so a consumer can learn about a warranty or file a complaint, but those approaches merely provide a website address and do not incentivize a user to visit a website.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A password or symbol such as a bar code or QR code is printed or attached to a portion of a cork which is placed in a bottle so that the symbol or password cannot be viewed without removing the cork. When the cork is removed, the password can be used to access a site located at a URL printed on the bottle or otherwise provided. If a bar code is used, the code is scanned at a point of sale and a prize is given. If a QR code is used, the code is scanned by a QR reader on a smart phone which then opens a website. The website can have information about the contents of the bottle, such as the history of a winery and method of production. Logging on to the website may entitle one to a prize or to entry into a drawing for a prize.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cork with a website password printed at a location that will be hidden when the cork is in the bottle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may take many other forms and shapes, hence the following disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims.

FIG. 1 depicts a cork 10 with a password or bar code or QR code 12 printed on a portion of the cork that is not visible when in the bottle. If the surface of the cork is too rough to accurately print a QR code thereon, the code may be printed on a flat surface and the code and substrate attached to the cork. If a plastic cork or some other smooth material is used, the code may be printed with ink that will not harm the contents of the bottle. The purpose of the code is to direct the consumer to a website. The website has information about the product, its production or other products that may be purchased from the site. It may also provide an opportunity to enter a contest, to receive updates on new products or to invite the consumer to visit the winery.

If a password is printed on the cork, then a website address will need to be provided either on the cork or on the bottle. If a bar code is used, the cork will need to be taken to a retail establishment, preferably the one that sold the bottle, and the bar code can be scanned at the point of sale. A discount or prize can then be given at the store immediately. Additionally, some contests may be configured so that multiple codes within a given time period can increase the chances of winning, for example, by giving 10 entries with 3 corks.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A method for using a marked cork to lead a consumer to a website, the method comprising the steps of: printing a password on a portion of a bottle cork that cannot be viewed when in the bottle; and printing a website URL on the outside of the bottle to which the password will provide access to the consumer.
 2. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein the website has further information regarding a product in the bottle from which came the cork.
 3. The method set forth in claim 2, wherein the product is wine and wherein the website information is an audio/video presentation of women stomping grapes that will be turned into wine that the consumer is about to consume.
 4. The method set forth in claim 3, wherein the website information is an audio/video presentation of stories about the women making wine and the winery where the wine is produced.
 5. The method set forth in claim 3, wherein the website information is an audio/video presentation of stories about the countryside and heritage surrounding the winery.
 6. The method set forth in claim 2, wherein the information is regarding the winery at which the product was made.
 7. A method for using a marked cork to lead to a website, the method comprising the steps of: configuring a bar code to be scanned at a point of sale in a participating store; printing a barcode on a portion of a bottle cork that cannot be viewed when in the bottle; and redeeming the cork, by scanning it at a participating store and granting the participant a prize and entering the contestant in a contest on a website, the address of which is given to the contestant to monitor whether additional prizes have been won.
 8. A method for using a marked cork to lead to a website, the method comprising the steps of: configuring a QR code to point to a website containing information regarding a contest; printing a QR code on a portion of a bottle cork that cannot be viewed when in the bottle; and entering the contestant in the contest when the contestant logs on the website.
 9. The method set forth in claim 9, wherein logging on to the website with multiple QR codes increases the likelihood of winning.
 10. The method set forth in claim 9, wherein logging on to the website with 3 unique QR codes within a month results in 10 entries to the contest 